Understanding how 'bath salts' affect the body and cause harm
Official title: Cross platform analysis of drug targets and toxicity of bath salts
Funded at University of Toledo Health Sci Campus · NIH-11110332 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work aims to understand how different types of 'bath salts' affect the brain and body at a molecular level to help develop better treatments for substance abuse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo Health Sci Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $556,470 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DA054330-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110332 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is foundational and does not directly involve patient participation, but future clinical applications would target adults aged 21 and older experiencing substance abuse disorders involving cathinones or similar psychostimulants.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not affected by substance abuse disorders related to 'bath salts' or similar psychostimulants would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Many people struggle with substance abuse, especially involving drugs like 'bath salts' and similar substances. While some of these drugs have been studied, there are many new versions appearing online that we don't fully understand. This project uses a new laboratory method to identify exactly which parts of the body and brain these drugs attach to and how they cause their harmful effects. By learning more about these interactions, we hope to find new ways to help people who are struggling with addiction to these substances.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new and more effective treatments for substance abuse disorders related to 'bath salts' and similar psychoactive drugs.
How similar studies have gone: While some related drugs like MDMA have been extensively studied, this project uses a novel approach to understand a wider variety of newer 'bath salt' variants.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schiefer, Isaac T — University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
- Study coordinator: Schiefer, Isaac T
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.